During testimony by University of Hawai’i President MRC Greenwood before the Senate committee on accountability this afternoon, it was suggested that Governor Neil Abercrombie offered advice regarding the UH athletic director position. The following statement by the Governor is in response to media inquiries about his meeting that was mentioned by President Greenwood.

“I stated very clearly to President Greenwood that my sole concern was for fairness and even-handedness. I based this concern as the Governor as well as an alumnus and supporter of the University of Hawai’i. I also stressed that any and all decisions made in the wake of the concert failure ensure that all responsible parties be held to account.”

The Hawaii Tropical Fruit Growers (HTFG) names the recipients of its appreciation awards, given annually to supporters of the state’s tropical fruit industry.

They are Dr. Robert Paull of UH-Manoa’s College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR); Dr. Roberto Coronel of the RC Fruit Conservation Farm in the Philippines; Frank and Lynn Sekiya of Frankie’s Nursery on Oahu; Bob and Susi Hamilton, founding members of HTFG and owners of Plant it Hawaii on the Big Isle; and Lelan Nishek of Kauai Nursery and Landscaping.

Frank and Lynn Sekiya

Recipients were recognized at the recent 22nd Annual Hawaii International Tropical Fruit Conference that opened on Oahu and continued in Maui, Kauai, Hilo and Kona.

Dr. Robert Paull

Dr. Paull is credited for his research in fruit ripening, storage, packaging and transport, plus the growth and development of fruit.

“Each of our award recipients have gone out of their way to help Hawaii’s fruit industry prosper,” notes Ken Love, HTFG president. “The Sekiyas have been responsible for hundreds of plant introductions into Hawaii that help growers become more sustainable.”

Nishek is cited for continually supporting HTFG and its mission with generous donations of time, product and funding. Love says the Hamiltons are being lauded for “their dedication in producing quality trees and marketing quality fruit.”

Dr. Roberto Coronel

Dr. Coronel, a keynote speaker at the recent HTFG conference, is an award-winning supporter of the Philippine fruit industry and has done multiple research projects on tropical fruit. At his RC Farm, he has planted 220 edible fruit and nut species from the tropical regions of the world, plus 136 registered fruit varieties.

Alaska Airlines is inviting school-aged children in Hawai’i to create artwork honoring the unique culture of the Aloha State that will adorn a Boeing 737-800 in a “Paint the Plane” contest. In partnership with the Hawai’i State Department of Education (DOE) and the Hawai’i Association of Independent Schools (HAIS), contest forms will be distributed to more than 400 schools and 218,000 students throughout the Islands.

Governor Abercrombie at Kuhio School for the kick off of Alaska airlines “paint the plane”

Students in kindergarten through 12th grade from public, private and home schools across the state have until Nov. 30 to submit designs that best capture the “Spirit of the Islands.” A final selection panel comprised of 10 judges representing Hawai’i’s government, community, arts, education and tourism leaders will select three top designs. Residents of the state of Hawai’i will then vote on the top three designs and provide Alaska Airlines with their recommendation in an online public vote slated for December 2012. The plane is scheduled to be revealed at a public event in Hawai’i during the spring of 2013.

“What better way to celebrate five years of flying to the Aloha State than to share Hawai’i’s culture and spirit in a flying mural inspired by our future—our keiki, or children,” said Joe Sprague, Alaska Airlines’ vice president of marketing. “Whether you doodle, draw stick figures or use a computer for graphic design, we urge all school-aged children in Hawai’i to enter for a chance to share your creativity across our extensive network in the United States, Mexico and Canada.”

The student with the winning submission will get his or her design painted on an Alaska Airlines aircraft, a trip for four to any Alaska Airlines destination and a $5,000 scholarship. Second- and third-place winners will receive a trip for four to any Alaska Airlines destination, and 12 honorable mentions will be awarded a $1,000 scholarship, except for the grade of the grand prize winner.

Hawai’i Gov. Neil Abercrombie attended a kick-off event today with 330 students at Prince Jonah Kuhio Elementary School in Honolulu, along with representatives from Alaska Airlines, the DOE and HAIS.

“This is an exciting opportunity for our students to not only showcase their art, but also instill continued pride for their school,” Abercrombie said. “This is one example of how the sky is the limit when it comes to applying imagination and art.”

“The ‘Spirit of the Islands’ contest is an opportunity for students to unleash their creativity and innovation,” said Kathryn Matayoshi, superintendent of the Hawai’i State Department of Education. “In a global economy driven by ideas and experimenting beyond boundaries, the arts make invaluable and unique contributions to learning and preparing our graduates for college and careers.”

Complete contest details are available at www.alaskaair.com/hawaii, including contest rules, instructions and entry forms required to participate. Entry forms will also be available at the Alaska Airlines booth during several community events throughout the Islands, including the Maui Fair, Hawai’i’s Children and Youth Day, Hawai’i Fishing and Seafood Festival, and the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival.

The “Spirit of the Islands” contest is the third time Alaska Airlines has turned to the public to paint a plane. The Spirit of Alaska Statehood aircraft paint scheme was created by a 16-year-old Sitka student in a similar statewide contest celebrating Alaska’s 50-year anniversary. Last year, two soccer fans designed the MLS Portland “Timbers Jet” to celebrate the airline’s jersey sponsorship of the Portland, Ore., soccer team.

Alaska Airlines is hosting the contest in celebration of five years of serving Hawai’i, which today includes daily nonstop flights from seven West Coast cities and Anchorage, Alaska, to four major islands. On average, Alaska Airlines offers more departures in more nonstop markets between Hawai’i and the West Coast than any other carrier (22 daily roundtrips, or 308 weekly flights, in 21 nonstop markets).

Alaska Airlines, a subsidiary of Alaska Air Group (NYSE: ALK), together with its partner regional airlines, serves 95 cities through an expansive network in Alaska, the Lower 48, Hawai’i, Canada and Mexico. Alaska Airlines has ranked “Highest in Customer Satisfaction Among Traditional Network Carriers” in the J.D. Power and Associates North America Airline Satisfaction StudySM for five consecutive years from 2008 to 2012. For reservations, visit www.alaskaair.com. For more news and information, visit the Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air Newsroom at www.alaskaair.com/newsroom.

Laupahoehoe Community Public Charter School (LCPCS) faculty, staff, parents and community members elected the school’s first governing board on September 6.

The LCPCS Interim Local School Board transitioned out on September 11. A formal exchange of seats marked the changing of the board.

“This is a critical time in our school’s history,” said LCPCS Director, Dr. David Rizor. “We benefit from past and present perspectives and ideas as we continue to build a school that is in the best interest of the students and the Laupahoehoe community.”

Members of the LCPCS Governing Board are:

Jonah Kaye is the Secondary Special Education teacher at LCPCS. He has been a special education teacher in Hawaii’s public schools for eleven years. Jonah believes that self-esteem is the foundation for all education and uses building projects in his classroom to develop a positive learning environment. He has three children at the school.

Tracy Jardine is the office coordinator at LCPCS. Her in-laws, husband and children graduated from Laupahoehoe School. She believes that LCPCS is on its way to becoming a great school.

Bethany Morrison, LCPCS parent, is a long-range planner for the County of Hawaii and member of the Ocean Resources Management Program Working Group. She has experience in collaborating with different levels of government and agencies as well as grant proposal writing and fiscal management.

Community member George Martin is a 1978 graduate of Lauapahoehoe School. A former mechanic for Yamada and Sons, Martin has been a business agent for the ILWU 142 for seven years. He was president of the Ookala Community Association and served on the Ookala Community Forest Board.

According to the State’s charter school law, the school’s director, Dr. Rizor, who is a non-voting member of the board, and the four elected members, will appoint additional board members.

Ideally, applicants should demonstrate an understanding of best practices of non-profit governance and possess strong financial and academic management and oversight abilities, as well as human resource and fundraising experience.

The Governing Board is responsible for the financial, organizational, and academic viability of the school and implementation of its charter.

The Department of Public Works Building Division announces new hours for processing permit applications at the front desks of Hilo and Kona offices effective October 1. This change only affects applications requiring front desk clerical assistance.

The new hours will be 7:45 AM to 3:30 PM Monday – Friday, except Wednesday (Hilo) and Thursday (Kona).

Hilo: 7:45 AM – 3:30 PM and Wednesday 7:45 AM to noon

Kona: 7:45 AM-3:30 PM and Thursday 7:45 AM to noon

The office remains available to service code questions, plan review consultation, drop-off of plans and pick-up of plans/permits.

This recent change will allow the permit staff uninterrupted time for processing permit applications.

Rock the Vote is a nonpartisan nonprofit organization in the United States whose mission is to engage and build political power of young people. Rock the Vote uses music, popular culture and new technologies to engage and incite young people to register to vote in every U.S. election. Rock the Vote strives to be the largest voter engagement campaign ever in 2012.

This free, music and informational event, organized by motivated students invites youth voters and ANYONE interested in becoming more informed about who is running in the very important upcoming general election on November 6th. Participating bands will be “rocking out” and encouraging students and the community to REGISTER TO VOTE before the last day, which is Monday October 8th, and most importantly get out and vote on November 6th.

Hawaii has one of the lowest voter turnout rates in the country. In the past few elections, only about 40 percent of the state’s registered voters have participated in the primary election. And that’s only about 36 percent of all the people in Hawaii who are eligible to vote, registered or not.

Rock the Vote ‘Power to the People’ is an event aimed at political awareness among UHH/HCC students and the surrounding community.

Our mission is to get more people to vote and to learn the importance of voting, and voting intelligently. There will be information booths, Departments of UHH/HCC, UH/HCC Clubs, Rock the Vote Confessions, students educating their community and local bands entertaining us!

Hosted by HCC/UHH students, Political Science Tribe, The Social Justice Club, and the Global HOPE Organization. Global HOPE works for positive change in our local and global community. They believe that democracy requires an active and informed public, and work to make this ideal a reality.

Students from UHH/HCC will have the opportunity to speak freely about local and global issues. Helping to educate and inform fellow students and our surrounding community in hope they will make more intelligent decisions when voting on November 6, 2012.